Adjustable type case



Patented Nov. 15, 1938 PATENT OFFICE ADJUSTABLE TYPE CASE Ralph I. Scheuer, Two Rivers, Wis., assignor to Hamilton Manufacturing Company,

Two

Rivers, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application March 2, 1936,'*Serial No. 66,574

12 Claims.

This invention relates to adjustabletype cases more particularly for storage in printing plants of printing material such as leads or slugs arranged in groups of equal widths.`

Among other objects, the invention aims to provide an adjustable case which can be ad- 'justed to take the place of any one of many cases which have been heretofore required to accommodate varying sizes of printing material. While adjustable cases broadly are not new, this invention provides a greater range of adjustment and substitution than has been heretofore possible in adjustable cases, and at the same time, the iiner adjustment provided enhances the operative effectiveness of the device by making it extremely unlikely for the printer when filling the case or when putting used printing material back into the case, to get the material into the wrong group division. This is accomplished, in accordance with the invention, by reducing the required play between the printing material and the division members between the groups of material, to a minimum.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, and the invention may be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure l is a plan view showing generally a device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged portion of the structure of Fig. 1;

Figure 2a is a very much enlarged partial view of the slots and division members as arranged for one size of slug;

Figure 2b is a view similar to Fig. 2a but for another size of slug; y

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line 3-3 of Fig. V2; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the division members.

Referring in detail to the illustrative structure shown in the drawing, the numeral Ill indicates generally a type case embodying my invention and which is shown in the form of a wide relatively shallow drawer-like container, having the ilat bottom II, front and rear walls I2 and I3 respectively and side walls I4 and I5 respectively, all of which may be advantageously constructed of one piece of sheet metal. In this instance partition members I6, spaced apart from front to `rear of the container, run width-wise thereof between the side walls I4 and I5. These partitions `IIi are here shown formed of wood or the like but might of course also be of metal. In accordance with the invention also the front wall (ci. 27s- 44) I2 and the rear Wall` I3 are also provided with members I6 which while not strictly partition members are similar in structure and function to the intermediate members I6. As best sho-wn in Fig. 3 the members I6 may be permanently secured in the container as by screws Il passing through the bottom I I into the lower edges of the members I6 with the heads of the screws countersunk to be ilush with the bottom I I.

, The members I6 are uniformly grooved or slotted at small intervals throughout their lengths lby vertically extending slots I 8 formed therein, the intermediate members I6 having these slots upon both their forwardly and rearwardly directed faces while the members I6 associated with the front wall I2 and rear wall I3 have these slots only upon their rearwardly and forwardly directed faces respectively.

In accordance with the present invention the slots I8 are extremely narrow and are desirably no more than approximately 1/32 of an inch wide, and are spaced apart between centers a distance or length substantially 1%2 of an inch, or a length of one ern or pica. t will thus be noted for purposes presently to be pointed out that onehalf of aslot width equals 14,4 of an inch. As is well known in the art, a pica is a unit of length used in measuring the width of type, and is itself equal to twelve points, so-called, or 1%2 of an inch, a pica sometimes also being referred to as an em.

For association with the slots I8, the invention provides division members I9 for dividing the spaces between pairs of partition members I6 into spaces of varying width each for receiving a group of type slugs 20, 2|, 22 or 23, etc. These type slugs may be lines of type integrally formed together as by Linotype machines, or they may be leads for spacing lines of type apart. In any event, a group of these leads or slugs of equal length are intended to be stored between a pair of the division members I9, these division members being adjustably interchangeable to provide spaces for the various groups, so that a slug of a given length may be readily located when de- 4 sired. The division members I9 are desirably formed as best shown in Fig. 4 out of a single piece of sheet metal of a thickness slightly less than 1/32 of an inch, (so as to t the slots I8) vision member.

duced by the folded-over portion of either of the :less than 6 picas.

evident by reference to Fig. 2a in which the size called 3 plus.

thereof, are the tongues which are thus adapted to be received in registering opposite slots I8. Thus also the other fold 26 of the member I9 is offset from the plane of the tongues 25. It will be understood, as best shown in Fig. 2, that the division members I9 may be inserted in the slots in either way, that is with the offset fold 26 of the division member facing either to the right or to the left as desired, for the purpose next described.

For example, as best shown in Fig. 2, to form the space 21 between two of the division members I9, these division members for the space 21 are inserted in pairs of slots 6 picas or 'f3/72 of an inch apart (6 x 1%2"). However, the division members I9 are disposed with their offset folds 26 facing in the same direction, which thus causes the over-all thickness of one of the division members to reduce the size of ther space 21 by 9 points (%2) leaving a net distance for the space 21 of 63 points (G3/72"). vThus the 5 pica slugs 20, which have a length of 6%2 of an inch, are just received in the space 21 with a play of 3 points 01W/7210i an inch. Thus also a 51/ pica slug, which has a length of 66 points (5l/2 x :l/72") would not t in the space 21; and a 41/2 pica slug, which would Abe vonly 54 points in length, would allow 9 points play, which would be so much play that the printer would readily note that it was in the wrong place.

disposing another division member I9 6 picas (6 slots I8) further to the left, but with its folded-over portion 26 facing in the opposite direction. Thus the space 28 is a 6 pica distance unreduced by the folded-over portions of any di- While the space 28 is not redivision members I9 at the sides of this space, the distance between the division members (and even though they are in slots 6 picas apart) is slightly The reason for this will be of the slot is exaggerated for clearness of description. When the division members face in opposite directions, and are in the slots having their Vcenters 6 picas apart, since the width of each tual distance between the faces of the division members I9 forming the space 28 which gives us 7%2 of an inch minus El: of an inch. Since a 51/2 pica slug is 66 points long (5l/2 x 1%2") the play in the space 28 is 6 points minus 12 of an inch (T2/72" minus 6%2" minus 315'). The play of 6 points minus El; of an inch (9472 minus is a trifle over 3 points or what I have It is in fact 3% points; but since forpresent purposes the extra 3A point play is practically infinitesimal the play in space 2B with a 51/2 pica slug 2I may be considered to be substantially 3 points. Since the next size slug or 6 .pica is 7%2 of an inch long, it could not be placed for the 6 pica (6 x 1%2) slugs 22 by utilizing the division member I9 at the left of the space 28 and disposing another division member I9 to the left thereof in the pair of slots 7 picas away but with the two division members forming the space 29 having their folded-over portions 26 facing in the same direction. When, as in spaces 21 and 29, the division members face in the same direction, the width of the slot may be disregarded in figuring the distance between the division members, since the amount added to this distance at one side of the space (l/Z X 75") must be deducted at the other side of the space. The space 29 therefore accommodates the slugs 22 with a play of exactly 3 points (7 x 1%2" equals 8%2, minus 9412" equals 751/72, minus 7%2" leaves %2"). Since a 61/2V pica slug is 7%2 of an inch long, it could not be put in the space 29 which affords a slug length of only 'T5/72 of an inch, and the next smaller size or 51/2 pica would be received in the space 29 with a play of more than nine points, Which would be too much play.

For the 6% pica slug the space 30 is provided by using the division member I9 to the left of the space 29 and lplacing another division memberv I9 still further to the left as shown in Fig. 1. In this instance the division members for the space 3U have their folded-over portions 26 facing in opposite directions but with these 'offset folded-over portions toward each other, that is, facingrinwardly into the space 30 in contrast with the space 28 where the division members were facing in opposite directions with their offset folded-over portions facing away from the space 28. The division members for the space 30 are vdisposed in slots 8 picas apart which is a distance from center to center Aof the slots of 9%2 of an inch. As will be seen from Fig. 2b, if the outer faces of the division members were exactly on the center line of the slots, it would be necessary to deduct from 9%2 of an inch twice the over-all thickness of the division members (2 x 5%2'0 which would leave 78/72 of an inch. It will be noted however that a 61/2 pica slugs is 78/72 of an inch long itself, and consequently if there were no play the slug 23 could not be received in the space 30. By further reference to Fig. 2b, however, it will be seen that the outer faces of the division members are one-half the width of the slots outside of the center line of the slots so that there must be added to the distance of 78/72 of an inch for the space 30 twice the width of one-half of each slot on each side of this space 30 or 15 of an inch (2 X l/g). Thus the actual net width for the space 30 is "fi/72 of an inch plus @if of an inch; this allows a play for a 61/2 pica slug of of an inch. Reducing this to terms of points we find that it equals 21A; points or what I have called 3 minus. Since for present purposes the difference between 21A; points and 3 points, or 3A; of a point, is practically infinitesimal, the play in the space 33 with a 61/2 pica slug 23 therein may be considered to be substantially 3 points. Since the next size slug or 7 pica is 8%2 of an inch long, it could not be placed in the space 30 the total available width of which is 80%, points. The next smallest size slug or 6 pica which is 7%2 long would be received in the space 30 with a play of 8% points which would be too much play.

Label holders IOI may be carried by the member I6 along their top edges, as clearly shown in the drawing, without interfering with the function of the slots I8, these label holders carrying labels such as the labels |02 indicating the slug sizes of the compartments provided as described. Thus in each case a play of substantially 3 points, with in no case much more or less than this, can be provided for. This very small maximum of play has a number of novel results: As pointed out, it guards against a slug of a larger size being accidentally placed in a space provided for a smaller size slug. Furthermore, the printer soon gets accustomed to appreceiving either by sight or by feel, the substantially 3 points play normally provided for, and is Wholly unlikely to place a slug in a space larger than the one provided for that size of slug. Thus accuracy of storing is assured with a minimum of effort on the part of the printer in placing the slugs in the spaces. Moreover, the small maximum play, provided, effects great flexibility in the sizes and number of spaces which may be obtained in any one container, thus making for standardization of manufacture and reduction of cost both in inventories and equipment.

Manifestly, the invention is not limited to details of construction shown for purposes of exemplication, and such changes may be-made as fall within the scope of the claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. As an article of manufacture, a division member for an adjustable type case of the class described, embodying a folded metal sheet, and tongues at the ends thereof, the metal being folded to provide an over-all thickness for the member of nine points.

2. As an article of manufacture, a division member for an adjustable type case of the class described, embodying a folded metal sheet, and tongues at the ends thereof, the metal being folded to provide an over-all thickness for th-e member of nine points, in combination with a container provided with means for adjusting the division members by widths apart varying by one pica.

3. In an adjustable type class, the combination of a shallow drawer, partitions running widthwise of the drawer, pairs of oppositely registering slots in said partitions, adjacent pairs of slots being spaced apart a width of twelve seventyseconds of an inch between slot centers, and division members removably receivable in the slots of a pair.

4. In an adjustable type case, the combination of a shallow drawer, partitions running widthwise of the drawer, pairs of oppositely registered slots in the partitions, adjacent pairs of slots being spaced apart a length of twelve seventyseconds of an inch between slot centersr and the slots being approximately one thirty-second of an inch wide, metal division members having tongues received in the slots of a pair, said division members being approximately nine seventy-seconds of an inch thick, and said tongues being at one side of said thickness whereby the division members are reversible to vary the distance between division members received in adjacent pairs of slots with or without changing the pairs of slots in which the division members are received.

5. As an article of manufacture, a division mem- I ber for an adjustable type case of the class described embodying a folded metal sh-eet of material not more than approximately one thirtysecond of an inch thick, said material being folded. upon itself with the folds spaced apart to provide an over-all effective thickness for the folded sheet of approximately nine seventy-seconds of an inch, portions of the sheet integral with one of the folds and in the plane thereof extending laterally beyond the folds of each side thereof to form tongues.

6. As an article of manufacture, a drawer for an adjustable type case of the class described having partitions running width-wise of the drawer, pairs of oppositely registering slots in said portions, said slots being approximately one thirtysecond of an inch wide and spaced apart approximately twelve seventy-seconds of an inch between slot centers.

7. In an adjustable type case, the combination of a support, parallel partition members on said support, slots in said partition members arranged not more than one pica apart, and movable division members receivable in said slots whereby the spacing between the division members is adjustable by widths varying b-y not more than one pica.

8. In an adjustable type case, the combination of a support, parallel partition members on said support, slots in said partition members arranged not more than one pica apart, and movable division members having portions receivable in said slots, said division members having portions not receivable in said slots of greater thickness than the portions receivable therein and the latter being offset from the center of the overall thickness of said division members, whereby the division members are adjustable apart distances varying by not more than approximately one-half pica,

9. In an adjustable type case, the combination of a support, parallel partitions mounted on said support, pairs of oppositely registering slots in said partitions, said slots being a fraction of a pica in width and the pair of slots being spaced apart a distance of not more than one pica, and movable division members received in said slots.

l0. In an adjustable type case, the combination of a support, parallel partitions mounted on said support, pairs of oppositely registering slots in said partitions, said slots being a fraction of a pica in width and the pair of slots being spaced apart a distance of not more than one pica, and movable division members received in said slots,

said division members having an over-all thickness greater than the width of said slots.

11. In an adjustable type case, the combination of a support, parallel partitions mounted on said support, pairs of oppositely registering slots in said partitions, said slots being a fraction of a pica in width and the pair of slots being spaced apart a distance of not more than one pica, and movable division members received in said slots, said division members having an over-al1 thickness greater than the width of said slots, the portion of the division members receivable in the slots being offset from the center of the over-all thickness of said division members. i

12. In an adjustable type case. of the class described, the combination with a pairof regularly slotted fixed partition members with their slots facing each other and transversely aligned, of a pair of separable division members each having aligned tongues at their respective ends receivable in a pair of said aligned slots and each division member having a portion to one side thereof offset from said tongues whereby said division members may be 4associated with said partition members with the division members having their offset portions facing in the same direction or in opposite directions selectively. 

